For Bobcat Ben Gordon, a fresh start outweighs the losses

5:06 a.m. EST, June 30, 2012|Rick Bonnell, Charlotte Observer

Gordon said Friday the 7-59 record last season doesn't turn him off being a Bobcat the next two seasons. He was traded here Monday night by the Detroit Pistons, who didn't have much use for him of late.

By Rick Bonnell

rbonnell@charlotteobserver.com

The freshness outweighs the badness for new Charlotte Bobcat Ben Gordon.

Gordon said Friday the 7-59 record last season doesn't turn him off being a Bobcat the next two seasons. He was traded here Monday night by the Detroit Pistons, who didn't have much use for him of late.

This is the first time in an eight-year NBA career Gordon has been traded. He welcomed that.

"It's definitely a different feeling. But I'm looking to have a very positive impact -- change whatever was in the past,'' Gordon said at an introductory news conference. "I'm not even thinking about what happened in the past (in Charlotte). Just thinking about what happens in the future.''

Gordon is the Bobcats' highest-paid player, making $12.4 million next season and $13.2 million the following season. He addresses a lack of 3-point shooting that new coach Mike Dunlap described as the team's most obvious flaw. The Bobcats shot a league-low 29.5 percent from 3 last season. Gordon has shot 41 percent from 3 over his NBA career.

But he's more than a designated shooter. At 6-3, he's not quite a point guard and smallish for a shooting guard. He's evolved into a blend of both positions, which should allow him to play with either of the points (fellow Connecticut alumnus Kemba Walker or D.J. Augustin) or shooting guard Gerald Henderson.

"Growing up I always had the ability to score the basketball, but in high school I played a lot of point. I always viewed myself as a combination guard,'' Gordon said.

"It will be interesting to play with different guys and see how we fit together, especially Kemba. I've never actually played with Kemba, but him being from UConn and being a fellow New York guy, I already know his game.''

The Bobcats are obviously in a youth movement, but they need someone with the experience to mentor and lead. They suffered from a lack of veteran leaders the second half of last season. Gordon said he's comfortable taking that on.

"I have a lot of years of experience I can share with these guys. One thing I can show them is always maintaining a good work ethic,'' Gordon said. "I've always prided myself in getting in the gym and working on my game -- perfecting my craft.''